Mansueto told the Coast Guard he and his companions were fishing in the waters off Guimaras when an unidentified vessel rammed into their motorbanca “Nikko" causing it to break and capsize, Palabrica said.

Mansueto said he was able to jump off the banca but was not able to locate his companions.

Fortunately, a passing roll-on roll-off vessel, MV Maria Lolita of Montenegro Shipping, from Bacolod City bound for Dumangas spotted the wrecked fishing boat and rescued Mansueto at about 1:30 a.m. yesterday and brought him to the Coast Guard Sub Station in Dumangas, Palabrica said.

The PCG Western Visayas immediately sent search and rescue vessels to locate the missing fishermen, he said.

The Coast Guard is coordinating with other passing vessels traversing the Iloilo and Bacolod route and the nearby coastal barangays to help locate the missing fishermen or report any sightings of them, Palabrica added.

An investigation is also ongoing to identify the vessel that rammed the fishing boat so those responsible can be held liable for the incident, he added.*